Super Nutrient of the Week: Vitamin A

You hear about antioxidants all of the time, and having a
varied diet, rich in fruits and vegetables proves to be beneficial because each
food provides different amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants needed
for certain body functions. One of the best antioxidants you should incorporate
in your diet daily is vitamin A!

Vitamin A, a fat soluble vitamin, is truly a super nutrient!
Some of the great benefits this vitamin provides are:

Powers
your eyesight (especially night vision)

Keeps
your skin, gums, and teeth healthy

Boosts
immune system and fights off viruses

May
help cognitive function

Although I believe vitamin A is great for both men and women
to consume, it is especially important for pregnant women to have adequate
amounts of vitamin A. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends vitamin A
supplementation for a healthy
pregnancy. Pregnant women who are vitamin A deficient are more likely to be
anemic which may result in pre-term or low birth weight babies.

How can I get Vitamin A?

Eating a variety of foods that contain vitamin A and beta
carotene is the best way to get an adequate amount daily. Females want to aim
for the RDA of 700 ug and men 900 ug. Great sources of vitamin A include the
following foods:

Sweet
potatoes

Carrots

Mangos

Fish

Egg
Yolks

Fortified
Milk

Kale

Papaya

Bell
Peppers

If you didn’t notice, most of the foods above are orange!
Look for yellow and/or orange foods to get your daily dose.

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